Page 73 of Jeweler to the Blessed
“I came to check on Mother’s tonic delivery. Did we get it?”
He looked confused. “Yes, someone dropped it off maybe an hour ago.”
The relief that flooded me was more than I could bear. My knees felt weak. Even as Hart leveraged his side of our deal, he’d held true to the one he had made with Alaric. Did this make a difference? I didn’t know, but a weight lifted to think I could make decisions without worrying they would cost Mother her tonic.
I swallowed the surfacing emotion. “Alright, I have to go.”
He stood to pour the water over the tea leaves. “Say hello to your mother first.”
I didn’t want to argue. Quick steps led me down the hallway to her room. It was late, but Mother’s eyes were open, and she smiled like she’d seen the stars light up the night sky for the first time.
“I’ve missed you, Ember.”
I bit my lip to stop the tears from welling in my eyes. Hart’s comment about my name echoed through my head. I didn’t know what to make of it. Everything Hart did confused me. Words like those begged me to trust him. But his actions told me to be wary.
“Will you come give me a hug before you go?”
I didn’t ask how she knew I was leaving so soon, but I didn’t hesitate, stooping to wrap my arms around her. I lost the battle against the brimming tears, and one slipped down my cheek.
“The Cursed King is coming.”
Her eyes were cloudy, but I knew she’d recently had tonic. The nightmare magic hadn’t been seen again since the festival. I wasn’t naive enough to think he’d left Kavios, but I’d hoped to avoid a confrontation.
Her voice was still airy when she continued. “Chaos knew what she was doing.”
I shook my head, unsure what to make of the statements. They sounded like a refrain fromChampions of Kavios,but I couldn’t place them.
Her tonic may be taken care of, but standing there with Mother reminded me that it didn’t provide the certainty I hoped for about my next move. Leaving still felt out of reach. The prince had threatened Father once already. They wouldn’t leave him alone if I disappeared. They’d come for him, even if he couldn’t source the adamas.
Mother couldn’t travel. She needed to stay close to the youngleaf source. I still didn’t know where it came from. It seemed, with every step I took toward freedom, a new obstacle blocked my path.
“We’ll be alright, love.” She answered my unspoken fears.
“What do you mean?”
She squeezed tight and whispered into my hair. “Be careful and stick close to your guard.”
I collected myself while she refused to expand on her comments. We separated, and I departed. Hart paced the hallway like a caged animal. He was close to the door as I opened it, like he’d contemplated following me. It wasn’t until he turned and I met Hart’s gaze that I realized I hadn’t told Mother I had a guard.
23
They both would have to feel deeply. It’s no small feat in a city like ours.
— FROM CHAMPIONS OF KAVIOS
As Hart and I held each other’s gaze in the hallway, a million questions fought to fall from my lips. He’d delivered Mother’s tonic before I knew about it. He proved he would hold up to a deal with Alaric that Alaric was in no position to enforce.
He said he’d keep me safe—and my damned gut wanted to believe him.
I needed more than that. Would Hart continue to take care of Mother’s tonic if I were gone? Would it matter if the Glanmores came for Father anyway?
Then there were Mother’s words. She rambled, yes, but I’d learned to listen. What did she want me to do aboutthe Cursed King? I still assumed he wanted me gone, like the Feared. It was best to stay out of his line of sight.
Knowing King Rodric’s power over this city, I couldn’t stand by and help grow it. I couldn’t create more Blessed for him. I didn’t know where that left me, and I needed someone with whom I could talk about all this.
My gut wanted it to be Hart, and while I hated it, it didn’t tend to be wrong. The rest of me would feel better if I could find some logical reason to back it up.
Hart didn’t speak, though some of my burning questions must have been evident on my face. Hart helped the Feared. Maybe he could tell me more about the Cursed King. Finally, I opened my mouth to speak.
